Illegal structures keep rearing their ugly heads

The police have even assigned a dedicated squad of policemen to assist the Thane Municipal Corporation with demolition of illegal constructions in Mumbra alone.

“Eighty per cent of Mumbra is illegal. We are frequently approached by the TMC for protection while demolishing illegal constructions in that area but the problem still remains,” said Thane Police Commissioner K P Raghuvanshi.

As a result of the ever rising problem,the police have assigned dedicated manpower to assist the TMC in demolition of illegal constructions,Raghuvanshi said.

“We have assigned a company of the State Reserve Police Force as well as 65 of our police constables for the task,and they are permanently stationed at the TMC.

“In addition to this,manpower is also provided from the concerned police stations whenever required,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Milind Bharambe.

Interestingly,both the builders,who are currently absconding,started out as scrap dealers in Mumbra. They are both residents of the Kausa area in Mumbra.

Police officials said that the TMC files many complaints with the police under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act.

However,before filing the chargesheet in the case,the police first have to seek a sanction from the civic body. During this time,many of the illegal constructions are regularised and the cases remain pending. This is one of the reason for the ever growing problem of illegal constructions,the police said.